Microdosing Humor with Matt Ruby - CHIT CHAT WEDNESDAY - The JTrain Podcast w Jared Freid

Summary

The JTrain Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Microdosing Humor with Matt Ruby - CHIT CHAT WEDNESDAY
Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Matt Ruby
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Duration: Approximately 39 minutes

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1. Introduction to Matt Ruby and His Special "Bolo"

Jared Freed kicks off the episode by introducing Matt Ruby, a seasoned comedian known for his YouTube special titled "Bolo." Matt’s special delves into a myriad of contemporary and often contentious topics, navigating them with humor and insight.

Key Points:

• Special Overview: Matt Ruby’s "Bolo" covers subjects such as cancel culture, social media, autism, incels, gender discussions, racism, and more.
• Authentic Performance: Recorded at the New York Comedy Club’s Gramercy location, Matt emphasizes performing in familiar environments to maintain authenticity.
  Matt Ruby [03:06]: "I like to perform in the kind of spaces I normally do as opposed to try to blow it up or make it seem too fancy."

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2. Navigating Social Media and Algorithms

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the complexities of social media platforms, particularly Threads, and their algorithm-driven content distribution.

Key Points:

• Threads vs. TikTok: Both hosts discuss how Threads attempts to mimic TikTok’s algorithm, often resulting in repetitive and irrelevant content feeds.

• Algorithm Frustrations: Jared shares his struggles with the "For You" page, expressing how it negatively impacts his day.
  Jared Freed [05:38]: "It's very weird on threads... it feels like we're just a slave to whatever the algorithm's throwing it at you."

• Matt’s Take: Matt likens social media algorithms to a black hole, highlighting the minimal return on engagement.
  Matt Ruby [05:59]: "They make you go up to some strange area to just see those from people you actually follow."

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3. The Art of Nuanced Comedy

Matt Ruby and Jared delve into the essence of creating meaningful and relatable comedy that transcends simple dichotomies like "owning the libs."

Key Points:

• Avoiding Predictability: Matt emphasizes the importance of surprising the audience and avoiding predictable punchlines.
  Matt Ruby [10:03]: "You're trying to get to some truth that way."

• Wisdom of Crowds: Drawing parallels to stand-up, Matt discusses how collective audience reactions can validate the truth in comedy.
  Matt Ruby [13:08]: "If you get a crowd of, like, hundreds of people to guess the amount of jelly beans in a jar, the average of their guesses will almost always be exactly right."

• Balancing Perspectives: Both hosts agree that comedy should reflect nuanced realities, acknowledging faults on all sides without devolving into antagonistic "go yourself" modes.

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4. Mushrooms and Microdosing: A Deeper Dive

The conversation shifts to the topic of mushrooms, exploring their use, benefits, and societal perceptions.

Key Points:

• Microdosing Benefits: Matt explains how microdosing mushrooms can enhance empathy and reduce clinical cynicism, particularly benefiting interpersonal relationships.
  Matt Ruby [34:26]: "I've had a lot more of like just sort of like empathy and being like, oh, everything's fine if people are annoying you."

• Comparisons to Alcohol and Weed: The hosts compare the effects of mushrooms to alcohol and marijuana, discussing control over one’s state of mind and the potential for transcendent experiences.
  Matt Ruby [30:09]: "There is a dose that you can hit where you're going to be more out of your head and maybe shouldn't be driving a car or whatever."

• Responsible Use: Emphasis is placed on dosing responsibly and having a guide or "Sherpa" during initial experiences to ensure safety and manage potential bad trips.

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5. Authentic Storytelling in Comedy

Matt and Jared discuss the importance of incorporating personal experiences and authentic narratives into stand-up routines.

Key Points:

• Personal Trauma as Material: Matt shares how personal stories, such as his relationship with his father and the enduring impact of certain memories, provide rich material for comedy.
  Matt Ruby [17:10]: "It's tough, you know, like, I think in general... a lot of times... it's the antidote to toxic bro."

• Relatability Across Audiences: Jared reflects on how universal themes and authentic storytelling can bridge diverse audiences, making comedy more accessible and impactful.
  Jared Freed [16:05]: "If I'm really into this, but yeah, how people will say, oh, it's funny because it's true."

• Evolving Comedy Styles: Both acknowledge the evolution of their comedic styles over the years, focusing more on meaningful content rather than solely seeking laughs.

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6. Dating, Relationships, and Societal Expectations

Towards the end of the discussion, Matt and Jared explore themes related to dating, relationships, and the pressures of societal expectations.

Key Points:

• Desire for Long-Term Partnerships: Matt expresses his preference for meaningful, long-term relationships over casual encounters, reflecting a maturity in his personal life.
  Matt Ruby [37:25]: "I would like to be... happier when I'm in a relationship with, like, someone and we're in love."

• Challenging Stereotypes: They challenge the stereotype that men of a certain age are solely focused on casual relationships, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of individual experiences.
  Jared Freed [38:36]: "It's not fair to look at someone as if they’re just here for the sex."

• Overcoming Personal Barriers: Both comedians touch on the importance of self-reflection and overcoming personal barriers to foster healthier relationships.

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7. Conclusion and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, Jared encourages listeners to watch Matt Ruby’s "Bolo" special, highlighting its ability to tackle tough subjects with humor and sensitivity.

Key Points:

• Watch "Bolo": Matt Ruby's YouTube special is recommended for its comprehensive and funny take on contemporary issues.
• Follow Matt Ruby: Encouragement to follow Matt on all platforms to stay updated with his latest work and comedic insights.

Final Quote: Jared Freed [39:00]: "You're going to have a great time on the couch."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Matt Ruby [03:06]: "I like to perform in the kind of spaces I normally do as opposed to try to blow it up or make it seem too fancy."
• Jared Freed [05:38]: "It's very weird on threads... it feels like we're just a slave to whatever the algorithm's throwing it at you."
• Matt Ruby [10:03]: "You're trying to get to some truth that way."
• Matt Ruby [30:09]: "There is a dose that you can hit where you're going to be more out of your head and maybe shouldn't be driving a car or whatever."
• Matt Ruby [34:26]: "I've had a lot more of like just sort of like empathy and being like, oh, everything's fine if people are annoying you."
• Matt Ruby [37:25]: "I would like to be... happier when I'm in a relationship with, like, someone and we're in love."
• Jared Freed [38:36]: "It's not fair to look at someone as if they’re just here for the sex."
• Jared Freed [39:00]: "You're going to have a great time on the couch."

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Recommendation: For an insightful and humorous exploration of complex topics through the lens of comedy, tune into Matt Ruby’s "Bolo" special. Subscribe to Matt Ruby's YouTube channel and watch the special available through the podcast's description.

Transcript

[Jared Freed]

Chit Chat Wednesday for you to listen to. I have a guess who will be your new boo. You're gonna love them too. Chit chat Wednesday. I hope you're having a good day today. I hope it's gonna be a perfect week too. I hope you have a nice poo. It's a chat Wednesday to. Hello and welcome to the J Train podcast. It's a Chit chat Wednesday and today's guest is Matt Ruby, hilarious comic who has a special that is out right now on YouTube. If you're watching this video, the link to the YouTube special is below. Hit the link, you know, flag it, put it away for a rainy day or a night on the couch. It's a hilarious special. It's called Bolo and I read it to him. But I'm going to read you the topics that Matt Ruby goes after. And he goes after them successfully with laughs. Cancel culture, social media, liars, autism, incels standards for women, freezing eggs, land acknowledgments, crowd work, algorithms, marriage, Judaism, genders, reality, love shows, mushrooms, racism, lesbians. October 7th, Kanye. These are all topics that, you know, could enrage and. But also it's exciting to watch someone go for the bit and he does it. So it's a great special. You're going to enjoy it. This conversation with Matt, we go over all the topics he goes over and then we have a conversation about mushrooms. I've never done them. Matt Ruby talks about mushrooms in his special. He is, I don't want to put this on him as a mushroom guy, but he is someone who is has more experience than I do with the mushroom world. So I ask him about it. We have a nice conversation about this fun convo. I've known Matt, Matt Ruby for years. He's great, funny, hilarious. Go follow, Enjoy today's episode. Boom. Welcome to the new J Train podcast. Hello and welcome to the J Train podcast. Is J Jay Train Jared Free coming to live from the West Village of Manhattan. That's right, every Wednesday is a Chit chat Wednesday where I sit down with a friend, a comedian, an expert and lucky for you, we have all three today. Friend, comedian, expert comedian with a new special that is out right now and you can literally click on the description in the description of this episode, whether you're listening or watching on YouTube, it is right there waiting for you to add to your queue and make, you know, put on for a date night. I just watched it. It is fantastic. It was called bolo. Matt Ruby, thank you for coming on the show. How are you?

[Matt Ruby]

Thanks for having me. Great to be here. I'm doing well.

[Jared Freed]

Love the special. It's great.

[Matt Ruby]

Thank you, man. I appreciate it.

[Jared Freed]

I just watched the whole thing. It's funny. Everything hits the. You feel like you're in the room that. I think that's like a. Where did you tape it?

[Matt Ruby]

It was at New York Comedy Club, the Gramercy location. But we brought in like a backdrop to make it look a little different. So it's not Brick, Wally and. And the usual vibe.

[Jared Freed]

So I think a lot did. I think it did. It was nightclubby. It felt like it was from. You know, it felt like I could. I wish people could smoke cigarettes.

[Matt Ruby]

Totally. Well, I always think, like, I mean, that's the kind of rooms I perform in. And so I think when you're taping a special, like, for me anyway, it's like, I like to perform in the kind of spaces I normally do as opposed to try to blow it up or make it seem too fancy or something like that. So for me, it was nice to just sort of capture what I do in the environment where I usually do it.

[Jared Freed]

I wish more comics would do that. Like, I watched some specials and I'm like, this was. This was dinner party. You know, we. It didn't. This isn't stadium, you know, like, who's the. Who's the comedian? Recently they were like, I don't play over 3, 1300 seats. It was like. It was a. It's like an old baby. A Tell definitely doesn't seem like he would like that at all, but I don't want to.

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah, I always think of like. But I think of like a Tell or Todd Barry as people who, like, they're supposed to be in a nightclub.

[Jared Freed]

Like, Todd Barry can't sell the tickets. So I.

[Matt Ruby]

Well, there's that too. But, like, you know what I'm saying? Just buy.

[Jared Freed]

Shout out to Todd, who ripped me on threads today.

[Matt Ruby]

Oh, that was a few odd threads.

[Jared Freed]

He came back, he goes, I did a tweet, I did a thread, and I follow nobody on threads. It's like, you know, like, it is like I just opened the account and I was like, here we go. Like, you know, and it's very. Like, Threads is very algorithmy.

[Matt Ruby]

It feels like a black hole. Like, you can get like a thousand shares, but, like, you'll get one new follower from it.

[Jared Freed]

It's very weird on threads. And also you'll get like, it's. It's trying to be tick tock with its algorithm. You can tell they're like, that's it feels like. And we're going to get into this because you talk about the algorithm on your special.

[Matt Ruby]

I do, I do.

[Jared Freed]

It feels like they were like, okay, let's try and do our TikTok thing here before we put it on Instagram. Like, it's like. Cuz sometimes I'll just get like a flavor of threads. It'll just be like all comedians talking about how awful comedy is. And then it's like the next day it'll be like all dating talking about how awful dating is. It shows you what I. What. What algorithms.

[Matt Ruby]

I end up similar. I get similar. Yeah. I think they know who they know from Instagram, who you follow or what you're into. So then they're just like, hey, how about this? You probably like this. You probably like this. And sometimes you're like, yeah, I do. And other times you're like, you don't know me at all. What are we doing here? You know?

[Jared Freed]

And sometimes it's like I like a little bit of that. Like, I like. I like some cheese and crackers. I don't want it to be the dinner. You know, they make.

[Matt Ruby]

They make you go up to some strange area to just see those from people you actually follow. And then everything else is like the four. There's the for you. Yes. And then there's the following. And so like the people that you actually follow, you have to go somewhere and click a button in order to just see stuff from them. And otherwise you're just a slave to whatever the algorithm's throwing it at you. So this is my problem.

[Jared Freed]

Well, this is my problem. I don't have any. I'm not following anyone there. So like I. So I only have the for you garbage.

[Matt Ruby]

And I made it. Honestly, it sounds healthy. That sounds great. Keep it up.

[Jared Freed]

Well, it feels unhealthy because do it on Twitter. I follow. I have the for you and the follow. And like anytime I end up on the for you, I'm like, oh, why is my day worse?

[Matt Ruby]

You know, like, I need to take a shower.

[Jared Freed]

Yeah.

[Matt Ruby]

On Twitter it's like, hey, we found this thing you'll probably hate. Are you happy now?

[Jared Freed]

Right? There's like no positivity on that for you page. It is. It is messing with my brain in a certain way. I. Yeah. So Todd Barry, respond. I did a. I would say I did it like an inst. Threads. I have to like, be know. I don't even know what they are anymore. I. And it was like, I was like, I feel like as I get older, I Like I'm like a. A chef at a restaurant that keeps losing meals, that keeps running out of meals. It's like I'll be on the toilet at 3am and I. It's like we got a 86 the hummus, you know, like that was like the threat. Whatever. It's stupid. And obviously I was from hummus at the time. You know, like, just like.

[Matt Ruby]

I guess this is inspiration. Yeah, you're speaking the truth.

[Jared Freed]

This is it. Todd Barry's like, you better 86 this thread. And then his. It's like the most Todd Barry response and then his gets like a thousand likes. I was like, I guess I won't do a tick tock about this as well. So he's a.

[Matt Ruby]

He's a masterful troll on social media, isn't he?

[Jared Freed]

That's his move. I guess that. Yeah. Well, that's another thing of it. It's like, well, people follow him to like troll people. So like, I don't know. So hold on. So you taped it at the club? It looks great. It does look like there should be cigarette smoke going on. I wish you could have done that. It's a very good.

[Matt Ruby]

At least. Right?

[Jared Freed]

Right. Something. Let me go over the topics you go over because I think everyone should watch the special because, I mean, you go through. I, I don't think I've watched a special that does every topic that is going on right now. So, okay, cancel culture, social media, liars, autism, incels female standards, eggs freezing land. Acknowledgments, Like, I was like, I didn't even. I was like, I guess that's a topic I've been run across so far. Crowd work, marriage, Judaism, genders, reality love shows, mushrooms, racism, lesbians. October 7th, you get into that. Kanye, travel and dogs and white women. Like I you. And there's a part in the special where you're like, you got to do crowd work these days.

[Matt Ruby]

You got to do it.

[Jared Freed]

You got to. But you're like, but also you. You have every hashtag. You're you. This is gonna, you know, this is clip ready was my thinking.

[Matt Ruby]

I'm trying to do whatever the algorithm wants me to, Jared. I just like, just tell me, algorithm, what do you need from me? I'll give it to you. I'll sacrifice whatever babies to your volcano you require.

[Jared Freed]

It really is religion.

[Matt Ruby]

Like, yeah, it's what's going on in my mind. I probably like to online kind of guy. So maybe that's part of what, what you're seeing in my output. But also I'm Just like, I. My. Where my comedy tends to come from is wherever I think something's. That people aren't saying the truth about it. And so, like, all those topics, I think it's usually like, I don't know, I think we're having a conversation. Here's what I really think is going on. And that's where the joke idea starts from. And then I try to make it funny somehow.

[Jared Freed]

Right. I. That was what I was getting from. I. Because I was watching, I was like, this is like the, you know, it's like the owning the libs is not what this is, but it's like what they're trying to. Like, you're doing a smart version of, like, I'm with you, but, like, can we talk honestly about what I'm with you on? And I.

[Matt Ruby]

That's a really good way to put it.

[Jared Freed]

Yeah, right. And I. And because I'm watching this, and I do think of, like, you mentioned Andrew Tate and in the special, and you're like, right, those. You know, it's almost like I use this example a lot. Like, I was like, the way you're coming at this, like, you know, hey, I'm with you. I'm liberal. I'm on your side, but I'm not on your side all the way. Like, can we at least, like, have some reasonability? And it's like, that's almost like, you know, how do you stand out? It's like, there's a sweet and low version of that and then there's like a sugar. Like, you know, like, what you're doing is the nuanced, fun way where everyone in the room can laugh, even if, like, agree, disagree, or anywhere in between. But then it's like, we see these people on a nightly basis. You see these things on online where it's like, no, someone's like, that's not enough for me. I gotta go into, like, go yourself mode. It's like. And that's not. And then that. That doesn't even. That goes into the land of not funny, you know?

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah, Yeah. I think for comedy, like, the worst thing is, like, if you know exactly what a person's gonna say before they even say it. If I know exactly what your take is going to be like, to me, great comedy, like, this part of why Carlin was so great is, like, you didn't actually know where he was going to go. People on both sides would, like, point to him as their champion on different stuff. And I think that's, like, the kind of comedy ideal. And then, yeah, I feel like you have the people who are like, bitching about, like, woke a Stan and like, okay, I kind of get that. But you know, like, the anti wokestan people seem equally crazy to me. Like, you're both just like two sides of the same coin. You're way too online. You're tribalist, and this is, you know, sort of reductive way. Like, the truth is usually, like you said, is like nuanced. Shit's complicated. Sometimes the people on your side are full of. And you got to be willing to acknowledge that. Otherwise you just come off like some dipshit who's like, just blindly, like, adhering to like one side or the other. So I'm trying to avoid just always being like, oh, I know exactly where this guy's going on this. Hey, here's. Here's what I think is bullshit on this side. But then also I think on that other side, they're kind of full of shit too. And just try to get to some truth that way, you know?

[Jared Freed]

Do you. Do you have the same feeling I do where this is happening conversationally now? Like, we saw it in comedy, you know, like, you know, I think comedy because it's like instant reaction and it's jump on stage and do your 10 minutes. Like, it seems that standup is always early to like, what things are happening or how people are even speaking. Like, like we see the fir. Like we were seeing the first version of like, you know, clapped her comedy.

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah.

[Jared Freed]

You know, and then now I'm like, seeing it in my conversations where I'm like, I know where you're going with this opinion. Like, there's no.

[Matt Ruby]

Especially online. Especially online. But yeah, I think to me, the go to example for what you're talking about is like Biden being like, too old. Like, every comedian had some bit about it, like three years ago and it was killing in every comedy club across the country, regardless of what side people are on. And we all knew, like, this dude's too old and everyone in this country thinks he's too old. And meanwhile, like the politicians or the people, whoever's running the country actually is like, no, he's doing fine. Don't worry about it.

[Jared Freed]

Like, we all know that's just stupid clown talking. You know, it's, you know. Right, But.

[Matt Ruby]

But we're not. Well, okay, yes, we are stupid clowns, but the audience is not stupid clowns. And if enough of them all agree there's some truth there, like, they might individually be stupid clowns, but as a group, audiences possess a lot of Wisdom and can see.

[Jared Freed]

Right.

[Matt Ruby]

Truth. You know, it's like, no, you're right, because I see the amount of jelly beans in the jar. Do you know this? Like, if you get a crowd of, like, hundreds of people to guess the amount of jelly beans in a jar, the average of their guesses will almost always be exactly right. So individually, those people might. Yes, the wisdom of crowds. There's a whole book about. Individually, those people might all be idiots, and some of them will be way too low and some of them will be way too high, but you get enough of them together, they're going to get the answer right.

[Jared Freed]

That's interesting. And, and that, that is a good parallel for, like, standup comedy and, like, testing out bits. Like, I was on a date recently. The woman was like, do you have to tailor you, you get this question, I'm sure, where it's like, do you have to tailor your show based on where you go? And I was like, no, I, I, I, I, I don't think I, I think that's like a, that's a false premise served to people by bad comedians. Like, this idea that you, like, I was in Phoenix and I was in Portland. I can't think of more, two more different west coast areas than Abercrombie and Fitch Phoenix and like, Stussy Phoenix and like, you know, you know, independent bookstore, Portland and same bits, same laughs. It actually, the set got better because of the two, you know, like, I put the. We're crowdsourcing and like, listen, I, I don't, I don't really. I, I will talk about. I, I don't, like, go shy away from stuff, but I, I have more enjoyment. Like, you know, do, you know, not, you know, I just, I recently haven't been talking about these subjects, but, like, I been more talking about, like, my parents a lot, which has been fun for me to do, but, like, you know, the idea I get, I get the question in a different way, where it's like, well, if there are no Jews there, do they get it? I'm like, seinfeld was the most popular show in the world.

[Matt Ruby]

Right, right.

[Jared Freed]

People get it on their own levels. I'm not.

[Matt Ruby]

Well, I think what you're getting at, too, is what people really want the most is for you to be yourself or be who you really are, who you really want to be. Like, the last thing you might think that you're going to please everyone if you change your act state by state, depending on the audience. But a lot of people just smell the bullshit, you know, be like, Right. Who is this guy for real? I feel like he's so. I think that's a lame way to do it. And then. Yeah, I think your crowdsourcing point is a good one. It's like, yeah, how people will say, oh, it's funny because it's true. Like, I usually think it's the opposite of, like, a room full of people in, like, New York and Alabama and Chicago and California are all laughing at the same joke. Then I think the point is true there. It's. It's true because it's funny, right?

[Jared Freed]

Yeah.

[Matt Ruby]

If they're all laughing repeatedly in different environments, then what you're saying has some.

[Jared Freed]

Truth to it, right? I mean, it's. And that's the fun of doing standup. Like, I think, like, you know. You know, you bring up the algorithm and, like, crowd work and, like, I don't think a lot of comedians, like, have fun doing a full crowd work set. Like, I think if you really got into this, like, my dad, I tried this new thing, and my dad is like, the worst critic. He's like. Like, if he doesn't like it, he'll let you know that bombed. I'm like, I know. I was there. I felt the bomb worse than you, you know, like. And I did this story, and it's a true story about my dad and I growing up about Larry Bird. And I'm like. And in my mind, I'm like, man, how am I going to get people to understand this Larry Bird thing? Like. Like, it's just such a stupid. But it's a story that's, like, legitimately haunted me my whole life. And my dad's like, the Larry Bird thing, you ain't going to ever make it happen. It's never going to happen. He literally says, never show you, dad.

[Matt Ruby]

That's. Then it was written in stone. You had to do it.

[Jared Freed]

Right? And it's also part. That is part of the story you're now adding to the story. Like, this is all about, like, you know, how I disappointed you with Larry Bird, and now you're like, you're never going to make the story work. And, well, I mean, from what you.

[Matt Ruby]

Said, it's like that I was haunted by it. Like, right there. It's like, okay, there's juice to this somehow, you know, it's like, if I'm haunted by this and it's stuck with me my whole life and I tell everyone I ever meet about. It's like, well, then keep hacking away at it, because something is there that's, like, inside of you that wants to come out. And I think, I think so much of, like, good comedy is audiences sensing that, like, oh, this guy just has to say this, right?

[Jared Freed]

I. And I used to think, like, I. When I first started, it was like, I just want to, like, tell the. The story that got a laugh with friends. And now I'm like, more like, I got to tell this thing that has really fucking bothered me, you know, like.

[Matt Ruby]

The thing that only you could talk about or say.

[Jared Freed]

Right.

[Matt Ruby]

You know, I think that's part of it, too.

[Jared Freed]

I. So I have questions from the special, but I want people to go watch it. It's fantastic. It's called bolo. It's so funny. I mean, literally laughs every 10 seconds. That's the goal. You're going to have a great time on the couch. Did you have. Before we get into it, we have a sponsor. Every plate. If it's time for a change in how you're treating your body, make things easier on yourself. With every plate, they send easy recipes straight to your door. So you get to skip the grocery store. Just get cooking. Choose from over 30 rotating menu options every week, like spicy bean and pepper quesadilla and loaded baked potato chowder. Their new Smart Swap recipes even let you switch out flour tortillas for lettuce wraps, white rice for lettuce, and potatoes for sweet potatoes to make better for you meals. Here, here's the. Here's the rub. I think a meal kit is good for you mentally and physically. Mentally, because there's so few things you get to start and finish. This is a DIY project. This is as meditative as doing legos to me. 2. If you want to be healthier, you have two problems. You're not a culinary expert. You're not creative enough, and also you don't know how to shop for yourself. You do the wrong portions. I'm the same way. I'm only pointing at you because three fingers are pointing back at me. So what this is going to do, what every plate's going to do, is going to give you creative options that keep you on it longer, and you're not going to be wasting all this food or eating too much. And here's what everyplate does. What is their thing? They do meal kits that are cheaper. They're going to give you a better bargain. So skip the store and enjoy homemade meals that cost less than buying groceries. Set wholesome habits. This year when you sign up for America's Best Vegetable value Meal Kit. Get started with 50. 50% off your first box and free month at Planet Fitness. So they're really helping you in all ways. So 50% off your first box and a free month at Planet Fitness with code J train P f@every plate.com podcast. Every Plate offer valid with auto renewing subscription. Planet Fitness offer valid with $1 down. Do it Black card membership signup. Additional restrictions apply. See every plate.com pod for details. That's 50 off your first box and one month free at Planet Fitness with code J train PF at every plate.com podcast here with Matt Ruby. Everyone go follow Matt Ruby on all platforms as well as the special that is on YouTube right now. It is called Bolo. The description of this episode literally has it waiting there for you. Okay, here's my question. When you're doing big topics like this, I read them all off. I the one that I'm going to reference is you go October 7th, you say, I'm going to do. And basically I'm going to do jokes about October 7th. And you literally hear a woman go, no. So.

[Matt Ruby]

Which I the crowd as well. Microphone.

[Jared Freed]

Yes. I laughed at her go. And it's, I thought it was a great joke. As great a joke, you know, like, again, like, yeah, okay. You're basically, you've set up the, the difficulty rating. I'm gonna make fun of a difficult subject and then a woman yells no, which I, I don't even know if you know that I, I, I, I heard it.

[Matt Ruby]

I think I did sense it. Yeah. And, and because I think I'm like, yeah, we're good. We're doing it. So Right. Could have happened. I don't know if I said that, but that's what I was thinking.

[Jared Freed]

You did say. I think you did say that. And you pull it off. It's, it's very funny. Have bringing up. Do you have a story of anyone, like, hearing? Because we have that happen. You'll say a premise and no, no, no, no, no. I don't even want it. What did you go no further. Did that happen with this stuff? Was there. Have you had that?

[Matt Ruby]

Usually it's usually not like an audible, like someone yelling something out, but you can definitely feel like the crowd tighten up. I mean, not always. Sometimes a fun crowd is like, yeah, get wild. But like, right. There's plenty of times where you can just feel like, oh, like butt cheeks are clenching and people are like, I don't know about this. But, you know, it's like, usually it's not like my opener, you know. So you have built up some amount of trust with them that they are confident that you know what you're doing. And then, you know, also, like, I. To me, that tension is kind of fun. You know, if you can. If you can kind of dance with that tension a little bit and bring them to a place that they're like, I'm not sure about this. But then the joke pays off. Then I think you can. Frequently you get an even bigger laugh and you kind of like. To me, it's probably like, what's amazing about comedy. Like, yeah, we can go on this ride, we can be a little bit edgy, and then in the end, we're all going to feel happy about it. And there's no HR department. It's a comedy club. If we can't do this here, where are we going to do it? And, you know, as a Jew, I'm also like, I don't want to not talk about stuff, you know, because it's, like, hot. But to me, like, the. The thing I always feel like is weird is like, I just can't talk about that at all. Like, if it's something I'm talking about in my life normally with people, like, I just want to be able to represent that on stage. And I also, as a Jew, I don't want to be like, I'm too afraid to talk about Jew stuff. Like, I'm like that. You know, it's like, now more than ever, even if it's jokes about Jews or whatever else, it's like, let's still be out there and talking and be present and be like, normal people, like, about. You know, I don't want to be cowering in fear. I feel like that's something I'm sensing from, like, Jews in my life, is that so many of them are on this timeline where they're just being fed all this awful stuff, and, like, they're. They're afraid of the being Jewish right now. I'm like, no, just go out there, own it, talk about it. Be. Be something that everyone's like, oh, yeah, that was funny. And we can talk about this. And, you know, none of this is the end of the world. We're lucky to be alive. We're lucky to not be, you know, in the middle of stuff. And, like, let's. You know, as. As much as the people are actually, like, literally in the middle of it, right? And, like, I don't know. I always think Jews, like, a huge part of our culture is like, okay, there's pain and suffering and bad shit happening, but, like, let's make a joke out of it. How else are we going to get through it? You know, there's discussion Jewish thing you can do, right?

[Jared Freed]

Yeah. Well, I always say stand up comedy is, is like a lot of Jews consider their sport. You know, when you go, it's like.

[Matt Ruby]

The most beautiful way to complain. And if.

[Jared Freed]

Right.

[Matt Ruby]

Complaining Olympics, the Jews would be like really favorites in almost every event.

[Jared Freed]

Right. And you talk about complaining, there's a joke about complaining about someone else's home. And like, and I was like, I felt it. Like I knew that person that you were referencing. Like, and that again, that goes back.

[Matt Ruby]

You knew my grandma, right?

[Jared Freed]

I knew your grandma. Like the way you even the word you use, I was like, I knew, I felt it felt very lived in. And I, that's. That goes back to like levels and when jokes work for one person in a different way than it works for another person. And again, when you do a subject like that, there is like, it kind of feels like you're on a whitewater raft and then you like get over the hump and you're laughing because I.

[Matt Ruby]

Want to put it.

[Jared Freed]

Yeah, you got over it. You know, you made it, you know, so.

[Matt Ruby]

And you should believe in the joke, you know, at first. You know, you're always trying stuff out. You might have to take a few risks. But like when you're putting out a special, like every joke I'm telling on there and putting out, like, I believe it, you know, and so like, like, I think that's also, you know, we're experienced enough as comics and do enough shows that you're like, hey, you can react how you want to this joke, but if I believe in it, then I'm gonna sell it. And, and like, you know, and also if it's like continually bombs, I'll stop doing it. You know, I'm not.

[Jared Freed]

Right. I'm not here to make a point. Right. Yeah. I'm not gonna torture myself. But I, I, you know, it's funny you say that because I was like, the bit made sense for you. Like, I know that you are. And you know, you're, you're abutting the concert community in your life. Like, you know, like, I know that you know festivals because I also know that you like hallucinogenics. You did a whole special while on a hallucinogenic if you go to Matt Ruby's YouTube page. So like, there was no lie in, like, I'm just doing this bit just to get on an algorithm. Like, you know, like, when I see stuff, when I see stuff, that's like, on those subjects, like, that's, like the stuff that, like, rings bullshit to me. I'm like, is it from your perspective, you know, or is this the perspective that just is a huge hammer to, like, lay down on it? I. You know, it's. And it's something that, like, it. I think that takes time to get to. Like, I noticed that in my own stuff, like, you know, talking about, like, Larry Bird, like, I never would have done that. I would never would have been brave enough, you know, or thoughtful enough to do that, you know, a couple years in. Like, I just totally, you know, so that's.

[Matt Ruby]

I feel that, yeah, like, there's plenty of newer comics who probably want to be edgy and are going to talk about, like, offensive subjects, and it's just going to be like, you know, but, yeah, these are a lot of those jokes I probably couldn't have done, you know, when I was like, five years in or something, you know, but now I feel like, you know, it's almost. It's almost one of the. I don't want to say it's your duty as a veteran comic, but it's like, this is the part of the good thing about having done it for 17 years or whatever it is now. Like, you have this data set internally of, like, here's how to do this and here's what I want to say, and here's what I can make funny. And, like, I'm not going to. I'm not going to. You know, it's like, I don't know why else get into this. And if you're not going to say what you want to say, you know, to me, it's like, the whole point of doing stand up is like, I know the amount of suffering we go through to get here. And then to be like, well, I shouldn't say this because the algorithm won't, like, is like, come on.

[Jared Freed]

You know, I know. I'm wondering where this all goes because, like, I'm sure you feel similarly, like, we're just seeing a lot of marketing majors get into comedy instead of being marketing, you know, VPs.

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah. Yeah. I feel like every comedian is like, half of the time is running a tech startup for yourself.

[Jared Freed]

I mean, I feel that way myself. And I'm like, yeah, you know, and I'm like, if I didn't go on stage this week, was I just a marketing chief? You know, like.

[Matt Ruby]

Or if I just stared at. If I just stared at a screen all day, Like, I'm like, I. I left a tech job to get into Comedy. Because I didn't want to stare at a screen all day.

[Jared Freed]

Right.

[Matt Ruby]

You know, and then, like, how did this happen? The screenshot followed me wherever I went, you know? But, yeah, I. I don't have a good answer for it. I think, you know, it's like one of those. It's also great. We don't have to go through, like, industry gatekeepers and all that, like, we used to. So there's obviously advantages to it. But, like, yeah, I do feel like I'm running, like, some branding. I'm running a failing branding agency, and my one client is myself.

[Jared Freed]

Okay, so you mentioned mushrooms. I have never done mushrooms. I know, I know. I. Here's. And so this is. This is really what I wanted to talk to you about. Now can.

[Matt Ruby]

So I'll give you them with you sometime if you want.

[Jared Freed]

I'm down for mushrooms. I'm down to do them with you. I. Here's my fear. There's two things I fear, and I'll tell you a story. I. And the sale of it actually will sell me because I was on a date. I'll tell you the story first. I'm on a date with a girl, and we're sitting at the bar, and she's like, I'm not drinking. And I'm like, that's totally fine. I am a drinker. So I'm like, I'm gonna drink. But, like, you do you. You know, it's, like, totally cool. There's no pressure here. She's like, I do mushrooms now instead of drinking. And I go, well, what's the reason? She's like, no calories. It was the most Jewish woman reason to do mushrooms. She's like, it's no calories. Same buzz. And I'm like, is that for real? And they were basically the one for one swap of mushrooms for, like, a glass of wine, whatever. Is that the truth? Because here's my fear. That was my. That's my story. My fear was that mushrooms was similar to weed, where I wouldn't feel control of my mind. And that's where I don't, like, that's why I don't smoke marijuana, because I'm like, I don't feel like I have my hand at the wheel as much when I. And with alcohol, like, I know where I am. I know you know all that stuff. So. So talk me through this as a. As a mushroom guy.

[Matt Ruby]

I mean, I think dosing would be the key factor here. Like, you can dose yourself properly where you're still, like, feeling a little. A little buzzy. And floaty, but you're. You're in control of everything that you're doing. There is a dose that you can hit where you're going to be more out of your head and maybe shouldn't be driving a car or whatever. So like, also be aware of that as a possibility. I'm a big fan of start small and, you know, wait a half hour, 45 minutes and then, you know, you can up your dosage then as opposed to like just eating the whole bag of shrooms or whatever out of the gate.

[Jared Freed]

Like, can you lose track? Can you like, is it like weed where you're like, I'm going to. I ate the whole brownie and now I'm stuck here?

[Matt Ruby]

Or I mean, I would say, is.

[Jared Freed]

It harder than weed?

[Matt Ruby]

I mean, again, it goes back to dosing. I. Harder and not harder aren't the words that I would use. It's just like a little more mind expanding and hallucinatory. If you take enough of them and the first time or two you do them, just do them with someone who knows better than you.

[Jared Freed]

Okay.

[Matt Ruby]

Done them before and a Sherpa, so to speak. Yeah, yeah. A guide who's going to be like, here, try this now and then. Okay. An hour in, you're not really feeling it to do a little more. Or if you are feeling it, like, hey, I got this, I can get us an Uber or whatever you need kind of thing. And yeah, I do. I mean, if you're comparing like health benefits or which ones, you know, worse for your health, I think alcohol is definitely worse as far as, like the impact on your body. Hangovers. Yeah, calories and all that stuff too. But just like, you know, I know my body after a night of drinking is like, oh, God, what did you do? And after, like, you know, a night of like taking shrooms, I can wake up the next day and be like, yeah, I feel great. That was fun.

[Jared Freed]

Really?

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah.

[Jared Freed]

Doesn't. Doesn't mess with your sleep.

[Matt Ruby]

I mean, if you do it like late at night and then try to sleep, maybe, but like, you know, if you're do some in the afternoon and like, they wear off after, you know, around three or four hours, and then, yeah, you can be normal again.

[Jared Freed]

Is the comp of dosing to alcohol, like, somewhat true? Does. Do you feel similarly?

[Matt Ruby]

Well, I mean, what do you mean? I mean, yeah, you can have a couple drinks and have fun and be fine and be in control or you can have like entire.

[Jared Freed]

Well, that's what I'm saying.

[Matt Ruby]

Like, if you be throwing up and be right.

[Jared Freed]

I'm saying if I went to a bar and had two dirty martinis. So I'm, I'm have. I'm. I'm on it now. Like, I'm. Yeah, the plane has taken off. What would be. Is there, Is there.

[Matt Ruby]

I mean, if I, if I was, you know, bringing you on board the shroom train, like, there's like a service where you can order like chocolate bars and they come with squares and they'll tell you like, you know, four squares for a little bit of a trip, 12 squares for like a heroic dose, which is like a full on sort of thing. And probably start you off with a couple squares, see how you're feeling, and then, you know, gradually up your dosage. Like, like for most people who want to tot dip, I think that's like a good approach at first. I will say, like, my personal experience was like, I just went all in and did like a huge amount of shrooms with some friends the first time and had like this transcendent experience. That was great. So I do think the one thing I'll say is, like, there's so much emphasis on this micro dosing sort of thing. I have just a little bit instead of drinking or something like that, and I'm fine with that. That's good, go for that. But there is something amazing and transcendent about doing like a heroic dose of mushrooms and just being out in the woods or somewhere in nature with your friends and like just being in like.

[Jared Freed]

This is the problem with the shrooms community. You got me out in the woods. This is crazy. Well, this is the problem. I. I'm asking you.

[Matt Ruby]

We'll take you to the beach.

[Jared Freed]

Beach would be good. I'm a, I'm a. I'm a swimmer more than I'm a hiker.

[Matt Ruby]

There you go. So whatever natural environment speaks to you.

[Jared Freed]

Have you had, have you had epiphanies?

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah, I'm actually working on a new one man show called the Mushroom Diaries, which is all like, I take notes when I do mushrooms. It says, it's like based on the. My mushroom notebooks where I'm doing like a sort of like a guided tour of like the different thoughts that the mushrooms have revealed to me. So, yeah, I've had. I mean, it's tough, you know, Like, I think in general, if a big picture thing, it's a lot of like, teaches you, like, how everything is connected. The connectedness of the universe, sense of empathy and compassion for all living creatures. I think men sometimes need psychedelics to Realize things that women know innately. I think a lot of times, like, like it's the antidote to toxic bro. Like manosphere type is like, what about.

[Jared Freed]

What has it taught you that you felt was like a very female?

[Matt Ruby]

I mean, I think probably just sort of like when I. I just sort of like, I can be like, kind of cynical and judgmental and like, as my default mode, which can be good for like state of comedy, but not so great for like interpersonal relationships or dating or. Um. And so I think definitely on shrooms, I've had a lot more of like just sort of like empathy and being like, oh, everything's fine if people are annoying you look, they're doing their best. Just try to, try to see, you know, just sort of like an approach of loving kindness to the world instead of criticism and judgment, which is something that I, I found helpful for my own brain. It's still a work in progress, but sure. It's like sometimes the shrooms can be like a flare that kind of lights up the jungle and at least you see like where you're supposed to be headed. And then you got to, you know, go back to your day to day life of integration and hacking away at the plants in order to get out of the jungle. But at least you. At least you feel like you're headed in the right direction.

[Jared Freed]

Have you dated women who are like, not into the shrooms thing? Or is that kind of like now part of like, what you're looking for is someone to share that with?

[Matt Ruby]

I have on occasion. I mean, it's become more popular now. So like, I think most people are at least like, oh, I might do like a little bit. But like, yeah, like, I think in general, like, a lot of people are scared to like really go there with shrooms because they.

[Jared Freed]

You're talking about.

[Matt Ruby]

Well, like, the bad trips, like bad trip stories are hilarious to me because, oh, I had a really bad trip once. I don't know if I wanted, like, let me guess, you were at a music festival, you went there with 18 people who you didn't know that well, took a dose that you didn't understand, then wound up at some tent where you didn't know where you were and you just had to sit against the fence for eight. They're always like, how did you know? I'm like, because this is every bad trip story.

[Jared Freed]

That's literally a bad trip to a concert. Yeah, like, like no mushrooms needed.

[Matt Ruby]

This is user error. This is like someone who can't figure out how to use their iPhone and like, this thing sucks. I'm like, no, I don't know how to do it, you know?

[Jared Freed]

Right.

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah. So it's not like a deal breaker for me if someone didn't want to do them. And it's not something I do like all the time. It's just nice to have on the menu, I guess. And, you know, I think it's more if someone's really, like, not okay with me doing them. That might be a problem. If someone's like, tisk, Tisk, how dare you? This is bad and wrong. I'd be like, I don't know. What are you from 1987? Like, what are we talking about here?

[Jared Freed]

Can someone be sober around someone on shrooms?

[Matt Ruby]

You can, but it might be a little. It's like when you're the sober person around drunk people, it could be a little much.

[Jared Freed]

Right?

[Matt Ruby]

Just sort of like, okay, I'm gonna leave you guys to do your thing with each other. But no, I've done. I think it's. That's like a mentality thing because, like, people in mushrooms can be very funny. I mean, they're definitely like, you know, talking about, like, you know, shadows and colors and things pulsing and the interconnectedness of the universe and it's got to be. And the ocean and stuff like that. So. So from those topics, I'll let you decide how much you want to be around.

[Jared Freed]

It's a good half hour, maybe a long hour. You know, I. I think if I was sober around that. No, that I. But I. Because I wondered that because you. You talk about dating and relationships and it's in the special. Do you want to be married? Do you want to be in a relationship?

[Matt Ruby]

I would like to be. Yeah. I feel like I would like to have kids. And I think I'm happier when I'm in a relationship with, like, someone and we're in love. That's great. I've also, you know, it hasn't happened for me yet, so I have to look in the mirror as to. I've dated some incredible women and, you know, why am I where I'm at and what choices have I made and, like, own that side of things too. But yeah, I think. I don't know. I guess I'm past the stage where I'm like, yeah, man, I gotta. I gotta hook up with as many chicks as. I don't know. I feel like there's a certain age where that gets a little like, okay, what are you doing now, dude? So I'd rather be in a long term partnership but like, yeah, I gotta, I gotta work on the actual doing it.

[Jared Freed]

You know, I've been talking about that a lot lately. This assumption that any guy who's not married above a certain age, it was for the sex. Like, it's like that's kind of like what a. What a way to look at someone. You know, like that's not fair.

[Matt Ruby]

It could be for the trauma. Okay, come on now. Come on your mind and realize we could be damaged in a completely different way. Okay.

[Jared Freed]

Right. This isn't someone that's just like. Well, I, I don't know. I can't be locked into one. Like to think that every single guy at a certain age is like only can think of like locked into one vagina the rest of their lives is like, I don't know. Like thanks.

[Matt Ruby]

Well, that's.

[Jared Freed]

Thanks for how you view me. View me.

[Matt Ruby]

Yeah, I think that's. And that might be a thing for women who are dating dudes at a certain age range where maybe there is truth to that. But then, yeah, I think to label every dude that way for eternity is, Is kind of a silly thing.

[Jared Freed]

Well, Matt Ruby, thank you for coming on. I want everyone to go watch the special. It is called Bolo. It's fantastic. You're going to laugh, you're going to see, you know, the, I would say you're doing, you know, a, a, A routine on the, a tough routine on the, on the, on the balance beam. Like you, you attack subjects that are tough, that you know, many comics wouldn't get into. It's all funny. It's all great. So everyone go watch the special. Subscribe to Matt Ruby's YouTube channel and watch it. I'm Jared Freed. We're here every Wednesday with a chit chat. Wednesday, back next week, boom.